Main Entry:

mad·ri·gal

Pronunciation:

\ˈma-dri-gəl\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Italian madrigale, probably from Medieval Latin matricale, from neuter of *matricalis simple, from Late Latin, of the womb, from Latin matric-, matrix womb, from mater mother

Date:

1588

1: a medieval short lyrical poem in a strict poetic form2 a: a complex polyphonic unaccompanied vocal piece on a secular text developed especially in the 16th and 17th centuries b: part-song ; especially : glee

— mad·ri·gal·ian \ˌma-drə-ˈga-lē-ən, -ˈgā-\ adjective

— mad·ri·gal·ist \ˈma-dri-gə-list\ noun